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Work experience

Interested in becoming a future doctor?

Working in connection with Health Education England, we have a dedicated work experience programme which provides secondary school students the opportunity to gain career insight into a variety of specialties, primarily aimed at students whose career goal is to become an NHS doctor.

Our clinical exposure placements are a valuable and required element for all students looking to evidence their experience for UCAS applications to medical school.

We work with 24 local secondary schools and colleges and together with the individual school’s careers advisor, help to promote one-week placements in a variety of departments.

All of our placements are observational (no hands-on tasks) and supervised by a nominated consultant and their team, with additional career guidance and daily support from the Epsom Undergraduate Education Centre.

The weekly placements run from Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). No weekend exposure is permitted.

Students should be aware that the following minimum age restrictions apply:

Placements in medicine: minimum age 16

Placements in surgery: minimum age 17

Placements in accident and emergency (A&E): minimum age 17

Work experience applications

Thank you for your interest. Our 2019 work experience application window is now closed. If you would like to apply for a placement in 2020, kindly check this page again from the 1st August 2019 as this is when the application process will resume.

Information for careers advisors

We are always happy to broaden our database of schools that we can assist with placements. If you are a work experience co-ordinator, careers advisor or teacher and would like more information on how your secondary school can join our programme, please contact us at esth.workexperienceenquiries@nhs.net.

Additional information for students

Step into the NHS (opens in a new window)Student friendly advice and guidance on the 350 different roles within the NHS with interactive quizzes, real-life stories and videos aimed at students taking their first steps in a career in the NHS